temperamentfirst

I'm so glad the research wasn't abandoned after the first researcher died - although they need anyone who contributed samples the first time to re-consent for their samples to be used

They may not need re-consent as Sydney and NSW universities have a research partnership agreement which covers most of these arrangements. It also depends if the research is being continued by someone who was already involved with Alan's work, and on how the consent was worded. Sydney Uni has also continued Alan's research on Border Collies and I cannot speak too highly of those involved.

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your comments.

Rosetta, I will be seeing her behaviourist again on Wednesday morning, and I hope you are right and that a different medication may assist - I have absolute faith in her and she will let me know.

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I would very much like some more information on chinese herbs - is this something I could ask the vet or behaviourst about? Or just order one for anxiety online and try it?

Thank you to everyone for your support and helpful comments.

Something I have had success with is Dr Schuessler's Tissue Salts Nerve Tonic Combination 5. They are available from most health food shops. Try giving 2 to start with. I had a bitch who had two pups but was convinced she had more somewhere! She was totally anxious and stressed. I spoke to the naturopath at our local store who happens to have dogs and she told me to use these. I have also used on a terrified rescue dog. Worked a treat. Won't hurt your dog but may make a huge difference.

Good luck!

I'd have the eye removed. Once an eye gets to that stage, it is really difficult to save the sight and it is very hard on the dog. I've known a number of people who have tried to save their dog's eye in similar circumstances and regretted it. Each of them, after sometimes months of trying, had to have the eye removed.

I use eucalyptus wool wash all over my dogs, then soap up the whites with blue shampoo such as silver tails.

Re itchy skin, after you have rinsed Zig thoroughly, do a final rinse of approx 1/3 vinegar, 2/3 warm water and do not rinse it out.

I find that the eucalyptus wash suits even my very sensitive skinned boy, and combining it with the blue shampoo on the white parts he gets no reaction. I was told about the vinegar rinse many years ago by an old breeder, and it makes a huge difference.

Oh no...tears in my eyes here, LM, she was a gorgeous soul. :cry:

Her last few months would have been very peaceful - she was so lucky to have found you.

No, I was the lucky one TM...she gave me so much more than I gave her. I miss her so much. I keep looking for her and find myself listening for her hoof-beats during the quiet times.

I want to take on another oldie when I can. And I may get a little pony or miniature for the back yard paddock as I really enjoyed Flossie's company.

Bless you - I am so glad you found Flossie and gave her such a wonderful last few months.

Hi all,

Need some guidance here & hopefully some offers of help please :)

Was in Sydney today (I live in Newcastle) & met a lovely man with his dog who has found himself suddenly on the streets due to a marriage breakdown.

I know there are a lot of scammers out there but my gut tells me this man is genuine due to the way the meeting & conversation came about. His dog is very well cared for & he told me he was told to put the dog down or take him with him on the streets. The dog is only young & he told me fully desexed/vaccinnated etc. He does not want to part with her & is doing everything in his power to hold onto her.

He has asked me (after our chat turned to dogs etc) if I knew anyone who may be able to help him & his dog get from the city to Wiseman's Ferry on Thursday to emergency accommodation? I said I would put it out there & try to get help.

I would drive to Sydney & take him myself however I do not have a car now till the weekend.

Can anyone make any suggestions? I do have a contact number for him if anyone can help.

Thank you.

I saw a story that the Exodus Foundation and the RSPCA have joined up to help people in this situation.

Here are the contact details.

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: (02) 9770 7555

My old girl had an episode and the vet gave her some meds that helped a lot with the balance problems. I am pretty sure that she was given stemetil, but check with your vet.

I use the Barnsleys, and they are fantastic - other practitioners are much closer to me, but it is more than worth the travel.

We have small concrete troughs plus an automatic horse waterer attached to the house wall. The concrete troughs are fantastic as they hold quite a few litres and are way to heavy to be knocked over.

OMG I am so very very sorry! What a terrible thing to happen. I know so well the agony of regret, please do not blame yourself, do not feel guilty. It is totally the negligence of the groomers

RIP Buddy

A good smell reducer is white vinegar in bowls. Put them whoever the smell lingers.

Nutro chicken and oatmeal, plus raw meat, chicken, leftovers, veggies, fruit, chicken frames and beef bones.

No lamb except in freezing weather, and no wheat.

Mixed

Can anyone recommend a vet with a good track record with this procedure? Preferably Western Sydney, but prepared to travel for a good outcome.

A few people I know went to Vineyard and were very happy with the result.

In each case they were forced to do it due to impossible neighbours who were best mates with the ranger!

Gary and Neil Barnsley in Greendale, NSW. I have been going to Gary for about 25 years and all of my breeder friends use him as well.

Barnsleys

Yep - another vote for Gary and Neil..

We use Gary and Neil Barnsley - they are great, plus Neil is fully qualified in chinese medicine and acupuncture!

Just putting this out for discussion, as I am still thinking it through.

Basically, I was researching arthritis in humans, and came upon a study that linked arthritis and inflammatory conditions with wheat consumption.

The study found that when they removed wheat from their diet, a lot of people's symptoms improved dramatically.

My research was triggered when my coeliac daughter developed full on arthritis - even swollen joints in her hand - after inadvertently eating the wrong corn chips. She had symptoms in her hands, knees and back!

So now I am wondering if feeding dry food that contains wheat may aggravate arthritis in our dogs.

Hmmm well things haven't lasted - its back to looking as bad as it was a fortnight ago. Kenz is struggling tonight. Couldn't get up the stair case again, had issues with her hind end when out on our walk tonight. I don't think the specialist has any ideas if his email to me is anything to go by other than if its the left stifle we could go through surgery again.

I am beside myself at the moment its not fair on her .

A few thoughts based on what we went through with our boy.

How is the febella (the tiny bone behind the knee)? Our boy had somehow exploded his and that caused scar tissue that prevented a patella surgery from healing properly.

Also, most BCs have patellas that luxate in one direction. My boy's was the opposite, and the specialist had not thought to check, so my poor darling had to have more surgery.

We used laser to help the healing, and also acupuncture.

Finally, definitely no stairs, no getting on couches etc for months!

He was older when this happens, and recovery took a good 12 months

I swear by Manuka honey, both the actual honey internally and the dressing for infections, cuts. eaq" oops - young Dustmite the ex foster just helped type - it wrks so well. Had a bitch with a bad spider bite that got infected and turned to staph. It spread to her face from licking. Antibiotics did nothing, so I both put the wound dressing on the infections and gave her Manuka honey twice a day. SHe was CURED within the week!

One youngster had kennel cough so I put him on Manuka honey immediately, plus Bisolvon cough tablets. 3 days later, only the very rare cough when he belted around chasing his mum. He came good so quickly that I didn't even need a vet visit :)

Temperament first, when you say the wound dressing is that something you make up yourself or something you buy? Apologies if its a dumb question but genuinely interested...

I buy the wound dressing at either the health food store or the chemist. it is a bit sticky, but worth the mess:-) My elderly mum has a bad ulcer and they are using some very fancy sterile manuka dressing on it. I'm not sure that sterile is such a great idea, but it is interesting that the medical profession here is finally catching up with overseas practice.

I swear by Manuka honey, both the actual honey internally and the dressing for infections, cuts. eaq" oops - young Dustmite the ex foster just helped type - it wrks so well. Had a bitch with a bad spider bite that got infected and turned to staph. It spread to her face from licking. Antibiotics did nothing, so I both put the wound dressing on the infections and gave her Manuka honey twice a day. SHe was CURED within the week!

One youngster had kennel cough so I put him on Manuka honey immediately, plus Bisolvon cough tablets. 3 days later, only the very rare cough when he belted around chasing his mum. He came good so quickly that I didn't even need a vet visit :)

No, actually I didn't know about magnesium for muscle spasms? Thanks.

I've been using heat and massage mainly. He's had four acupuncture sessions now, and it wasn't until the last session that I really noticed an improvement afterwards.

He hasn't had any noticeable side effects, apart from the increased hunger and thirst. Interesting you mention about overheating, I didn't know that was a possible side effect. His recent blood test was fine - well a slightly higher liver value but the vet said that was no problem. Yes that's my thinking too, quality over quantity.

My old girl has just come off her break from Trocoxil - she really suffered without it, despite weekly acupuncture and alternative pain relievers.

She went back on Trocoxil last weekend - it is kicking in now thank goodness. At her age, it is all about quality of life, and Trocoxil gives her that.

My vet also uses Robaxin when appropriate - it is no use for us as the pain is all arthritic and spinal fusion.

Re magnesium, be careful as it can cause massive diarrhoea. Often the muscle spasms are a symptom of the inflammation so it is important to control the inflammation.

We did another lot of bloods while she was on her break - all good, so it appears she is coping well with the Trocoxil.

I would definitely visit Barnsleys - laser and or acupuncture make a huge difference in these cases.

Also, Neil Barnsley is trained I. The use of Chinese herbs, and the one for arthritis etc are very effective.

Hi guys,

We have only five weeks before bringing our labbie pup home…yay! Our preparations are in full speed now and wanted to ask a few more questions.

Does anyone have some experience with a vet in Eastwood, Epping, Marsfield or North Ryde area in Sydney? Based on the reviews on the net and a recommendation of a friend of mine, I have chosen two places but if anyone has a personal experience that could share that would be great

We have lived in your area for quite a while.

I travel to Dural as I haven't been that impressed with the local vets.

If you want the details, pm me.

I thought that the white pup is not stacked as well as the brindle - have a look at her hocks - and this overstretching could make the top line slope.

I will check with a friend, as she told me about a guy with a black lab that charged her dog. Luckily she was still outside and slammed the gate on it. it was also at St Ives showground!

We've had one for years - it is fabulous!